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It  is  a  fearful 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #591 


IT  IS  A  FEARFUL  THING  TO  LIVE. 


BY  REV.  ANDREW    BR0AD1>1 


DEDICATED  TO  OUR  FAITHFUL  SOLDIERS. 

Few  of  the  human  family  are  so  reckless  as  to  be  void 
of  seriousness,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  they  must  die. — 
In  heathen  as  well  as  in  christian  lands,  all  possess  an  in 
stinctive  shrinking  from  approaching  dissolution.  The 
soldier,  who  goes  forth  in  defence  of  his  country,  fondly 
bopfis  that  lie  shall  pass  through  the  deadliest  conflicts 
that  await  him,  and  "not  fall  into  the  embraces  of  the  des 
troyer.  .  There  are  many  reasons  why  men  prefer  not  to 
die;  but  the  dread  of  the  unknown  tuture,  witfc  its  tre- 
mendous realities,  is  that  which,  more  than  aught  else, 
binds  them  to  life. 

Now,  while  it  is  greatly  wise  to  think  much  on  Jiath,  it 
is  equally  so.  to  think  on  "the  life  that  now  is;"  yet  I 
fear  that  many  who  may  chance  to  read  this,  bestow  but 
little  reflection  on  the  subject.  I  propose,  therefore,  a  few 
suggestions  on  the  solemnities  associated  with  living;  hop- 


2. 

ing  that  they  may  serve,  at  least,  to  awaken  serious  reflec- 
tion on  this  great  subject. 

Mrst,  then,  I  observe,  our  creator  has  invested  us  with 
certain  faculties  and  susceptibilities,  in  the  use  of  which, 
to  glorify  him.  He  would  have  us  consecrate  all  those 
powers  to  the  well-being  of  our  race,  and  thereby  bring 
honor  to  His  great  name.  It  is  a  sad  mistake,  made  by 
many,  that  he  contemplates  simply  our  individual  happi- 
nesss.  He  calls  us  into  His  vineyard,  that,  having  enter- 
ed it,  we  may  labor  for  the  advancement  of  the  true  in- 
terests of  our  race.  How  solemn  the  thought,  that  instead 
of  "  serving  their  day  and  generation,"  thousands  are  pros- 
tituting their  immortal  powers  to  the  pleasures  of  sense ; 
unmindful  altogether  of  this  most  reasonable  requirement 
of  their  Maker.  Better  had  such  persons  never  lived 
than  to  be  making  utter  shipwreck  of  their  qualifications 
for  doing  good. 

Secondly,  It  is  imposssible  for  any  to  live,  without 
exerting  an  influence  upon  those  around  them,  either  for 
weal  or  for  woe.  All  have  influence,  devolving  upon 
them  the  most  fearful  responsibilities;  and  it  is  melancholy, 
that  very  many,  not  only  madly  refuse  to  labor  for  the 
good  of  their  fellows,  but  are  indulging  in  practices,  the 
imitation  of  which,  without  Divine  intervention,  must 
lead  others  the  downward  road.  To  have  lived  here,  to  no 
better  purpose  than  to  effect  the  ruin  of  immortal  beings, 
were  worse  than  never  to  have  lived  at  all.  I  repeat,  then, 
i  t  is  a  fearful — an  awful  thing  to  live. 

Thirdly,  It  is  while  men  live,  that  they  bid  defiance  to 
the  laws  of  the  God  of  the  universe,  and  slight  and  des- 
pise His  infinite  goodness.  Thus  they  subject  themselves 
to  the  penalties  due  to  rebellion.  Sustained  by  His  boun- 
tiful providence,  and  fostered  continually  by   His    kind'ly 


3. 

guardianship  ;  by  persisting  in  sin,  they  develope  a  heart- 
lessness  which  is  "  nigh  unto  cursing."  Had  they  never 
lived,  of  course,  they  had  never  deserved  as  they  do,  "  the 
vengeance  of  eternal  fire."  Never  could  they  have  turned 
away  from  Him,  who  so  sweetly  invites  to  come  and  enlist 
under  Hi  banner. 

Again,  He.  who  lives  in  this  world,  must  live  forever. 
Live  we  must,  since  we  live  at  all,  as  long  as  He  who  gave 
us  life  shall  live.  As,  therefore,  we  can  never  cease  to 
live  j  and  as  life  beyond  the  grave  must  needs  be  made 
happy  or  miserable  by  the  manner  in  which  we  live  here, 
how  solemn  the  fact  that  we  ever  began  life's  endless  ca- 
reer !  Better,  methinks,  had  it  been  for  many,  if  the  All- 
wise  had  spared  them  an  introduction  to  this  mortal  exis- 
tence. Let  none  indulge  the  impious  thought,  however, 
that,  He  who  knew  the  end  from  the.beginning,  committed 
an  error,  when  He  breathed  into  their  nostrils  the  breath  of 
life ;  for  rely  upon  it,  He  designed  us  all  for  His  glory, 
which  can  be  promoted  in  no  way  so  effectually  as  by  our 
giving  our  hearts  to  Him,  and  employing  our  time  and 
talents  in  His  reasonable  and  delightful  service. 

Some  one,  perhaps  may  say,  "  if  what  the  writer  says  is 
true,  that  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  live,  I  wish  I  had  never 
lived. "  Such  a  wish  is  simply  vain.  You  do  live,  and 
although  you  might  commit  suicide,  it  would  but  transfer 
you  from  time  to  eternity,  there  to  continue  forever,  the 
life  begun  on  God's  footstool. 

In  view  of  the  above  considerations,  what  is  necessary 
to  render  life  here,  and  life  hereafter,  a  blessing  rather 
than  a  curse  ?  I  rejoice  that  "  Grace  has  contrived  a 
way  "  by  which  the  awfulness  associated  with  living  may 
be  done  away;  and  every  one  who  will  embrace  it  be  made 
to  rejoice  that  he  is  counted   worthy   a   place    among   the 


4.  *B 

l« 

sons  of  men.     When  Jesus  lived,  ne  laid  the  plan  by  which  "P<a 
v:e  may  live  by  faith  in  him  ;  and  when  he  died  he  finished    (2 
the  work  necessary  to  our  living  with  with  him  beyond  the  #• 
swellings  of  J  ordan.  Reader,  will  you  avail  yourself  at  once, 
of  His  all-sufficient  atonement?     Soldier,  yiWyouf  Let  me 
here  observe,  that  there  is  no  class  of  men    lor   whom   I 
feel  a  deeper  solicitude,  than  the  noble    defenders   of  our 
rights,  civil,  political  and  religious.     You  have  bared  your 
bosoms  to  the    cannon's  mouth;  and  your   lives '  may   be 
?aid  to  be  in  jeopardy  every  hour.     I  would  to  God,  that 
you  were  all  prepared  for  living,  and  for  dying,   that  you 
might  live  eternally  w.ith  Christ  in  the  upper  mansions. 

Allow  me,  affectionately,  to  exhort  you  so  to  live,  so  lo 
repent,  and  so  to  trust  in  Christ,  that,  whether  you  live 
long  or  die  soon,  you  may  be  counted  worthy,  through  Je- 
sus, of  an  "inheritance  with  the  saints  in  light."  What  . 
you  do,  should  be  done  quickly;  for  during  the  next  few 
mouths,  many,  very  many  of  you  may  be  called  to  stand  be- 
fore your  Judge.  Let  not  the  arch-deceiver  of  mankind, 
beguile  you  longer;  but  with  a  fixedness  of  purpose  com- 
mensurate with  the  value  of  the  immortal  spirit,  determine 
to  prove  the  efficacy  of  that  blood  which'  cJeanseth  from 
uH  sin  ;  and  great  shall  be  your  reward. 


Oh!  where  shall  rest  be  found? 

Rest  for  the  weary  soul ; 

'Twere  vain  the  ocean's  depths  to  sound, 

Or  pierce  to  either  pole. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
PH8.5 


